Samuel Gompers Occupation: Apprentice Shoemaker, Cigar Maker, President of CMIU (Cigarmakers’ International Union) Local 144 in NYC, President of American Federation of Labor. Position On The Issue: I oppose the annexation of both the Philippines and Hawaii, arguing that this constituted imperialism and would lead to an influx in cheap labor. I also fought religiously for the rights of labor workers and believed that all workers should form together into a single unit and become one powerful force to fight for the rights of labor workers. Reasons For Interest: I have always believed that the mistreatment of labor workers and the low wages that they were paid for the hard work was completely wrong. I believed that workers should be given higher wages, shorter hours, and safer working conditions. After I was appointed the first president of the American Federation of Labor the issue of the annexation of the Philippines was brought to my attention. I was completely against the annexation of the Philippines because this would lead to an influx in cheap labor. These people would be taken advantage of and I could certainly not let this happen. "Samuel Gompers (1850-1924)". AFL-CIO. March 29, 2010 <http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/history/history/gompers.cfm>. "Samuel Gompers". Absolute Astronomy. March 29, 2010 <http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Samuel_Gompers>. "Samuel Gompers". Travel & History. March 29, 2010 <http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1747.html>.
Samuel GompersOccupation:
Apprentice Shoemaker, Cigar Maker, President of CMIU (Cigarmakers’ International Union) Local 144 in NYC, President of American Federation of Labor.
Position On The Issue:
I oppose the annexation of both the Philippines and Hawaii, arguing that this constituted imperialism and would lead to an influx in cheap labor. I also fought religiously for the rights of labor workers and believed that all workers should form together into a single unit and become one powerful force to fight for the rights of labor workers.
Reasons For Interest:
I have always believed that the mistreatment of labor workers and the low wages that they were paid for the hard work was completely wrong. I believed that workers should be given higher wages, shorter hours, and safer working conditions. After I was appointed the first president of the American Federation of Labor the issue of the annexation of the Philippines was brought to my attention. I was completely against the annexation of the Philippines because this would lead to an influx in cheap labor. These people would be taken advantage of and I could certainly not let this happen.
"Samuel Gompers (1850-1924)". AFL-CIO. March 29, 2010 <http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/history/history/gompers.cfm>.
"Samuel Gompers". Absolute Astronomy. March 29, 2010 <http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Samuel_Gompers>.
"Samuel Gompers". Travel & History. March 29, 2010
<http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1747.html>.